"James became belligerent and uncooperative, and ultimately went back inside his residence," Iozzi said. "Shortly thereafter, the officers heard a gunshot within the residence and immediately entered to check on the well-being of those within."

The officers entered the home where they found an armed James standing in his living room beside a woman who was holding their son, investigators said.

Officers said they ordered James to set down the gun and they detained him. They said they realized that the boy had been accidentally shot in the upper torso.

"Initial details suggest James was handling the firearm inside his bedroom when the gun discharged," Iozzi said. "The bullet then traveled through the closet wall into the adjoining bedroom, where the child was struck while sleeping in bed."